羊皮卷的故事（2）

The smell of balsam was heavy in the air,

空气中弥漫着香精的气味，

and Hafid's sensitive old nose

海菲敏感的鼻子

detected the presence of sweet plums apples cheese, and ginger¹.

还闻到了香甜的李子、苹果、乳酪和生姜的味道。

Finally he turned to Erasmus.

然后，他转向伊拉玛：

"Old friend, how much wealth is there now accumulated in our treasury²?"

“老伙计，咱们的金库里现在有多少现款？”

Erasmus paled, "Everything master?"

“所有的？”

"Everything."

“所有的。”

"I have not studied the numbers recently,

“我最近没有盘点，

but I would estimate there is in excess of seven million gold talents."

不过总在七百万金币以上。”

"And were all the goods in all my warehouses³ and emporiums converted into gold, how much would they bring?"

“仓库里的现货，折合成金币是多少？”

"Our inventory⁴ is not yet complete for this season, sire,

“老爷，这一季的货还没有到齐，

but I would calculate a minimum of another three million talents."

不过我想少说也合个三百万金币。”

Hafid nodded,

海菲点了点头。

"Purchase no more goods.

“不要再进货了。

Institute immediately whatever plans, are required

马上把所有的现货卖了，

to sell everything that is mine, and convert all of it to gold."

换成金子。”

The bookkeeper's mouth opened,

老总管目瞪口呆，

but no sound came forth⁵.

一句话也说不出来。

He fell back, as if struck,

他向被人打中似地往后退了几步，

and when finally he could speak the words came with effort,

好不容易才说道：

"I do not understand, sire.

“老爷，您把我弄糊涂了，

This has been our most profitable year.

我们今年的财运最好，

Every emporium reports an increase in sales over the previous season.

各大商店都说上个季度销售量又增加了。

Even the Roman legions are now our customers,

就连罗马军方都向我们买货，

for did you not sell the Procurator in Jerusalem

您不是在两个礼拜之内，

two hundred Arabian stallions within the fortnight?

卖给耶路撒冷的总督两百匹阿拉伯牡马吗？

Forgive my boldness,

请您原谅我，

for seldom have I questioned your orders,

老爷，我一向很少顶撞您，

but this command I cannot comprehend. .. "

但是这一回，我实在弄不明白，您为什么要......”

Hafid smiled, and gently grasped Erasmus' hand.

海菲微微一笑，和蔼地拉着老伊的手，

"My trusted comrade,

“老伊，

is your memory of sufficient strength, to recall the first command you received from me, when you entered my employ many years ago?"

你还记不记得好多年前你刚来的时候，我要你做的第一件事？”

Erasmus frowned momentarily, and then his face brightened.

伊拉玛皱了皱眉，然后眼睛突然一亮，

"I was enjoined⁶ by you to remove, each year, half the profit from our treasury

“你吩咐我每年

and dispense⁷ it to the poor."

要把所赚的一半分给穷人。”

1 ginger   

n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气

参考例句：

• There is no ginger in the young man.这个年轻人没有精神。
• Ginger shall be hot in the mouth.生姜吃到嘴里总是辣的。

2 treasury   

n.宝库；国库，金库；文库

参考例句：

• The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。
• This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

3 warehouses   

仓库，货栈( warehouse的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The whisky was taken to bonded warehouses at Port Dundee. 威士忌酒已送到邓迪港的保稅仓库。
• Row upon row of newly built warehouses line the waterfront. 江岸新建的仓库鳞次栉比。

4 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

5 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

6 enjoined   

v.命令( enjoin的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The embezzler was severely punished and enjoined to kick back a portion of the stolen money each month. 贪污犯受到了严厉惩罚，并被责令每月退还部分赃款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She enjoined me strictly not to tell anyone else. 她严令我不准告诉其他任何人。 来自辞典例句

7 dispense   

vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施

参考例句：

• Let us dispense the food.咱们来分发这食物。
• The charity has been given a large sum of money to dispense as it sees fit.这个慈善机构获得一大笔钱，可自行适当分配。